While the average daily incidence has declined nationwide, there is still regional variability across the country with several jurisdictions reporting increases, said Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, in her latest weekly update Friday.
Read more: COVID-19 Sewage Data Shows Cases Rise Again Across Canada
A Global News analysis of the latest provincial wastewater data also shows a resurgence of COVID-19 in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and parts of British Columbia. Omicron’s most contagious BA.2 subtype, which is now the predominant version of the virus in several provinces, combined with looser public health measures is leading to an increase, experts say. The story goes on under the ad “We seem to be heading for another spring wave,” said Dr. Gerald Evans, an infectious disease specialist at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. The rise is more evident on the east coast of western Canada, according to Dr. Horacio Bach, an infectious disease specialist at the University of British Columbia, who, like Evans, says the restrictions were lifted very quickly. The upward trend is reported in several provinces of Canada. The story goes on under the ad In Quebec, there has been a 4 percent increase in total infections since early March, and hospitalizations have increased in recent days. On Tuesday, the county reported 1,153 hospitalizations, representing an increase of 38 patients compared to the previous day, and 63 people were enrolled in the intensive care unit – an increase of 10 cases. Dr. Donald Vinh, an infectious disease specialist and medical microbiologist at McGill University Health Center, said Quebec sees a “high rate of positivity” signaling continued transmission to the community. In Ontario, following a plunge in February, COVID-19 cases began to rise in early March, coinciding with the gradual reopening of the province, according to wastewater monitoring by the COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Board of Ontario. Data source: Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table Ontario said 790 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 – up 20 percent from Monday – and 165 were in intensive care on Tuesday. The story goes on under the ad Dr Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at Toronto General Hospital, said it was “very clear that there is a growing burden of COVID in many communities across the county”.
Read more: Ontario heading for another COVID-19 wave, says expert
“We are in the very early stages of a wave not only in Ontario, but probably in many other parts of the country,” he said. Trending Stories
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In British Columbia, meanwhile, hospitalizations are slowly rising. As of Monday, 288 people were hospitalized, including 48 patients in the intensive care unit. The number dropped again to 273 patients on Tuesday, but the province has seen multiple irregular daily increases last week after six consecutive weeks of decline. The story goes on under the ad UBC’s Bach said his biggest concern was the risk to vulnerable populations, including older Canadians and those with weakened immune systems. It is a similar story in Alberta, where an upward trend in cases began in early March, according to sewage samples. Alberta’s chief medical officer says the Omicron BA.2 subtype is now the dominant COVID-19 strain in the province, with about 60 percent of BA.2 positive cases as of March 21st. 2:00 About 60% of COVID-19 cases in Alberta are sub-variants of Omicron BA.2: Hinshaw About 60% of COVID-19 cases in Alberta are sub-variants of Omicron BA.2: Hinshaw
What can a spring wave look like?
Based on current modeling, experts predict that the spring wave will not only cause an increase in cases, but there is also a risk of an increase in hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths. The story goes on under the ad “I do not think anyone will be surprised if in a few days or sometime next week we also start to see an increase in hospitalizations, which corresponds to an increase in cases,” Bogoch said. Evans echoed that sentiment, but added that the numbers “will not be as high as we’ve seen in previous waves” because Omicron and its BA.2 subclass cause a milder illness in the vaccinated population. However, with the health care system already under pressure due to hospital staff being out of work due to the virus, there is concern about an increase in infections if Canada reaches another peak. “We are facing a critical staffing issue right now in healthcare,” Evans said. “We do not have full staff at the moment and this will continue to be a challenge,” he told Global News. 4:46 Another wave of COVID-19 could come Another wave of COVID-19 could come The good news is that more than 80 percent of the Canadian population is fully vaccinated, while 47 percent have received three doses. The story goes on under the ad Dr. Allison McGeer, an infectious disease doctor at Sinai Health System, said protection against a third COVID-19 booster vaccine, especially in older adults, could be reduced three to four months after the third dose. And this could possibly lead to much more serious cases in the elderly having three doses of the vaccine.
Read more: “Rise of BA.2 variant is worrying”: Quebec urges caution as it warns of ‘possible’ 6th COVID wave
That’s why Quebec approved a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for high-risk groups last week. In addition to long-term care homes, the Ontario government also provides fourth installments to residents of the county nursing homes, nursing homes, and other gatherings. The National Immunization Advisory Committee (NACI) of Canada has advised Canadians with moderate to severe immunosuppression to receive a second booster or fourth vaccine at least six months after their last dose. However, a fourth shot has not yet been approved for the general population. 1:53 “Rise of BA.2 variant is worrying”: Quebec urges caution as it warns of “possible” 6th COVID wave “Rise of variant BA.2 is alarming”: Quebec urges caution as it warns for a “possible” 6th COVID wave
Can a 6th wave be prevented?
The only way to avoid another wave would be to reinstate the restrictions, experts say, but that is unlikely to happen. The story goes on under the ad “There is no appetite for that,” Evans said. Vinh said there was no need for another lockdown, but regulating social activities, limiting the size of gatherings, improving ventilation and strengthening indoor mask commands could help mitigate community transmission. “None of us wants to go back… but… if we do not put it under control, we will end up going back,” he said. – with archives from Jamie Mauracher, The Canadian Press © 2022 Global News, part of Corus Entertainment Inc.
